Volunteers Peru

Affordable volunteering opportunities with social development and education projects in the city of Areqipa and the Cotahuasi Canyon, Peru

Volunteers Peru is a grassroots organisation based in the city of Arequipa in southern Peru. We are currently working with two projects where volunteers can make a positive contribution to the local community. The first is a home for abandoned girls in Arequipa; the second a primary and secondary school in Tomepampa in the Cotahuasi canyon. We are committed to helping the children that we work with to fulfil their personal and educational needs, and to promoting cultural awareness and mutual understanding. Volunteering is low cost and both long and short-term opportunities are available.

Both projects are greatly in need of help. See below for a full description of our two volunteer opportunities.

Support Teacher: Colegio Honofre Benavides, Cotahuasi Canyon

As a support teacher you will work alongside a local teacher at our partner school in Tomepampa, Cotahuasi Canyon. Responsibilities include supporting the main teacher, teaching English or other foreign languages, supporting individual students, and getting involved in mini projects when appropriate. Tomepampa is in a spectacular location in the Cotahuasi canyon, which is an area of outstandind beauty and a natural protected area. However this is a remote region and international teachers can also help to promote inter-cultural awareness and understanding. We ask that those applying for the position of support teacher dedicate a minimum of one month. This is a fantastic opportunity to get teaching experience in a completely different cultural setting and to spend some time in a little-visited yet fascinating area of Peru.

Support Team Member at Casa Hogar Torre Fuerte – Social Project, Arequipa

As a member of the team at the Casa Hogar Torre Fuerte Girls' home, you will work alongside local staff to support the forty girls in their care. Responsibilities include domestic tasks as necessary, homework help, playing with the girls, and contributing towards a safe and stable home environment. You are also welcome to get involved with mini-projects and specialist skills training, including handicrafts and English language teaching. This is particularly important with the older girls who may have missed time at school due to their family background. This is a great opportunity for those wishing to get experience working in a caring role with young people.